The film opens with predictable glimpses of the protagonist’s routine life of sweeping and mopping floors, and cleaning vessels. But the drama heightens as Laxmi’s life gathers an unpredictable momentum, which has been captured by Jain and Nevatia.

Laxmi falls in love with the tailor Krishna, elopes and expects their child. She is disowned by her family since Krishna belongs to a different caste. While they insist on abortion, Laxmi gives birth against all odds. Through this moving take, the documentary offers a take on the various pertinent issues that concern the protagonist’s life. The film will be premiered in India at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, at 4.30 pm on February 3.

“One could have made a film without focusing on her personal problems. The original idea was to concentrate on the relationship between the employer and the employee but we thought that would be self-censorship,” says Jain. “The film goes beyond her economic situation and delves into the complicated layers of caste, gender and class.”

The decision to make the film as personal and candid as possible was intentional. “I could have made it about hired help and taken a lot more interviews. We were more interested in exploring how interacting with Laxmi as an employer, a filmmaker and as a friend would effect me on a personal level. After a point the ‘me’ gets replaced and hopefully the viewer can place themselves in that position,” says Jain.

Interestingly, Laxmi was not camera conscious. As time progressed and she found the unit following her, Laxmi’s interview acquired a natural flavour. “If you really want to go deeper into a person’s life, you need time. Wait till they open up and move towards an intimate truth,” says Jain. She has also shot in Laxmi’s home where her drunk father refuses to wake up for the film.